‘Hungary’s military is evolving, and we are progressing on the path towards a fully re-armed, newly equipped, and well-staffed modern army,’ highlighted Defence Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky during a press briefing on 5 November. The event, marking a milestone for the Defence Development Programme, celebrated the full deployment of the Gidrán combat vehicle fleet at the MH Klapka György Armoured Brigade barracks in Tata.
‘Hungary acted in time! Amidst a war that has ravaged our neighbouring region for two years, we are steadily receiving the equipment we need. In addition to the war’s many tragic impacts, it has hindered deliveries of newly manufactured military assets and parts for new buyers,’ Szalay-Bobrovniczky emphasized. He underlined the importance of the modern equipment that has been continuously expanded since the launch of the military development programme in 2015.
‘Every new asset enhances Hungary’s security,’ Szalay-Bobrovniczky stressed, adding: ‘The Gidrán vehicles, bearing the name of an ancient Hungarian horse breed, are a widely recognized and popular addition to our arsenal.’ He noted that the heavy brigade has recently received two Leopard 2A7HU tanks, which he also identified as a key step forward. ‘We take pride in these powerful giants, which, with a weight of 72 tonnes, a top speed of 73 km/h, and a range of 450 kilometres, rank among the world’s most advanced tanks,’ he said. The acquisition and integration of these assets are essential for restoring Hungary’s tank and artillery capabilities.
Colonel István Tóth, commander of the MH Klapka György Armoured Brigade, also highlighted the significance of these acquisitions. ‘We are building crucial capabilities,’ he noted, explaining that soldiers in the rifle battalion have been training for months with Gidrán vehicles. In the coming year, the unit will be ready with its fleet of ten vehicles to serve in an EU battle group. Since February’s first large-scale induction, artillery personnel have also been training continuously with the new equipment.
‘Strengthening our artillery capability is a top priority for the brigade. This is a highly complex system, as effective operations with the PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers require various configurations of the Gidráns—including reconnaissance platforms, fire control centres, and command centres,’ Tóth explained.
The expansion of the brigade’s military assets will continue, with the arrival of several Leopard 2A7HU tanks expected in 2025, fulfilling the outstanding order of 18 units.
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